Dad has a 5cm+ abdominal aorta aneurysm, found a month ago, why are they waiting months to do the surgery?

Complex decision: Abdominal aortic aneurysms are usually repaired around 5.5 cm, but this is not a hard and fast rule. Experienced aortic surgeons will often take into account a number of different patient characteristics and attempt to develop a risk profile and sometimes wait until bigger. Discuss with your board-certified vascular surgeon and if you're unhappy with his rationale, seek a second opinion.

Variable: Many are followed for a time based on some studies of rupturing at greater than 6 cm. Also the personal risk factors for intervening may suggest waiting. Some other more lethal disease. Lung cancer heart failure etc. It always about risk/ benefit and options.

Close monitoring: Indications for surgical intervention are: symptomatic, larger than 5.5 cm, growth rate of greater than 0.5 cm in 6 months. It sounds like he does not meet the criteria at this time but close monitoring is required. Endovascular repairis usually possible, once repair is indicated search for surgeon with endovascular experience.

Focus on ADs Drivers: Arterial disease normally stimulates arterial enlargement. Thus aneurysms (most commonly abdominal aorta, superior to the naval) are one complication. Surgery is a treatment for the symptom; with associated huge risks. Far more important: focus on the drivers of atherosclerosis. Rec: optimize lipoproteins (by NMR particle test, not cholesterol), hba1c 5.0% or less ; low nl bp; sbp <120 mmhg, etc.